Author(s): Lin, JD (Lin, Jin-Ding); Hsu, SW (Hsu, Shang-Wei); Yen, CF (Yen, Chia-Feng);
Chou, YT (Chou, Ying-Ting); Wu, CL (Wu, Chia-Ling); Chu, CM (Chu, Cordia M.); Loh, CH (Loh, Ching-Hui)
Title: Roles of General Practitioners in the Provision of Health Care Services for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A National Census in Taiwan
Source: JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, 22 (6):
582-591 NOV 2009 Language: English Document Type: Article
Author Keywords: family physician; general practitioners; health policy; intellectual disability;
role perception
KeyWords Plus: DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES; LEARNING-DISABILITY; MENTAL- RETARDATION; MEDICAL NEEDS; INSTITUTIONS; PERSPECTIVE; COMMUNITY;
ENGLAND; ADULTS Abstract: Aims
The aims of the present study were to explore the perceptions of general practitioners (GPs) in the provision of health care services for people with intellectual disabilities and to analyse GPs' priorities in the delivery of health care services to this group of people in Taiwan.
Methods
The study employed a cross-sectional design and was conducted by a census method, the aim being to collect information from all GPs in Taiwan. A questionnaire was mailed out, between 10 April 2006 and 16 June 2006, and the responses provided by 331 GPs (response rate = 16) were included in the analysis.
Results
The results showed that most of the respondents did not have sufficient experience to deal with patients with intellectual disabilities and lacked adequate knowledge about intellectual disabilities. Indeed, respondents expressed the need for on-the-job training in the field of intellectual disabilities and generally agreed that their role in providing health care services for people with intellectual disabilities was important. However, they were generally not satisfied with the achievements of their role on health care issues. The study highlighted that many issues need to be prioritized for people with intellectual disabilities in relation to policy planning at different health care stages (primary, secondary and tertiary health care). The results also revealed that those senior GPs with considerable experience in treating people with
intellectual disabilities were more likely satisfied with their role in providing health care for this group of people.
Conclusions
It is concluded that Taiwanese health and welfare authorities need to focus more carefully on
issues concerning deficiencies in the training of GPs, and to employ appropriate strategies to address health care issues raised in the present study so as to improve the quality of care for people with intellectual disabilities.
Addresses: [Loh, Ching-Hui] Tri Serv Gen Hosp, Dept Family & Community Med, Taipei 114, Taiwan; [Lin, Jin-Ding; Chou, Ying-Ting] Natl Def Med Ctr, Sch Publ Hlth, Taipei, Taiwan;
[Hsu, Shang-Wei] Asia Univ, Grad Inst Healthcare Adm, Taichung, Taiwan; [Yen, Chia-Feng]
Natl Def Med Ctr, Inst Life Sci, Taipei, Taiwan; [Wu, Chia-Ling] Chung Hua Fdn Persons Intellectual Disabil, Res Ctr Intellectual Disabil Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan; [Chu, Cordia M.]
Griffith Univ, Ctr Environm & Populat Hlth, Brisbane, Qld 4111, Australia
Reprint Address: Loh, CH, Tri Serv Gen Hosp, Dept Family & Community Med, 325 Chunggong Rd,Sec 3, Taipei 114, Taiwan.
E-mail Address: twdoc@ndmctsgh.edu.tw
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Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC
Publisher Address: COMMERCE PLACE, 350 MAIN ST, MALDEN 02148, MA USA ISSN: 1360-2322
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2009.00523.x
29-char Source Abbrev.: J APPL RES INTELLECT DISABIL ISO Source Abbrev.: J. Appl. Res. Intellect. Disabil.
Source Item Page Count: 10
Subject Category: Psychology, Educational; Rehabilitation ISI Document Delivery No.: 504BN
